Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning owns an 11-1 record against the Chiefs and has never lost a home game against them. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Traps threaten prosperity. The Broncos won their season-opener over the Colts, but couldn’t quiet the critics. Their defense became gassed in the second half as Andrew Luck ran the no-huddle. And Denver’s running game never gained footing on first down.

The Broncos didn’t meet expectations. And that could be a good thing Sunday. The Broncos have plenty of wrinkles to iron out against the Chiefs with the Seahawks waiting next week. Perhaps you have heard of Seattle? Thrashed Broncos in the Super Bowl. Called Denver soft. Have a defense that’s the equivalent of barbed wire with a voice box.

That game means a lot. But it would be diminished with a home loss. The Broncos are favored for the 32nd straight time, something that will likely end next week at Seattle. There’s a good reason: Peyton Manning.

He does bad things to the Chiefs. Manning owns an 11-1 mark against Kansas City, which includes a pair of playoff victories. He hasn’t lost to Kansas City since Oct. 31, 2004, and has never fallen to them in a home game.

Manning’s numbers against Kansas City: 272 for 424 for 3,530 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As a Bronco, Manning has thrown 11 touchdowns with three picks.

Manning remains six touchdowns shy of 500. Only Brett Favre has reached that threshold in NFL history.

Other notes to chew on with your buffalo wings before the game:
–Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton remains five tackles shy of 300 for his career.
–With two touchdowns, Demaryius Thomas will tie Al Denson for 10th on the club’s all-time list.
–DeMarcus Ware owns 118.5 sacks, third among active players.
–The Broncos are 11-1 in division play over the past three seasons, best in the NFL.
–Since 1996, the Broncos own the league’s best record in the season’s first month (47-20).

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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